Carbon monoxide detector going off

[MetalGator]

Last night in our motorhome the carbon monoxide detect kept going off. I opened all the windows and vents and kept hitting reset but after a few minutes it would go off again. This went on for about 30-40 minutes. I finally dismounted the detector and held it up to an open window. Just as I was about to start cutting wires to shut it down, the red light went out and it quit beeping. I am trying to figure out what caused this. We are parked on a lake with other RVers. I did have a fire going outside before the alarm went off. I got up and closed the door (just had the screen door closed) at one point because I was starting to smell the camp fire a bit inside. Could this have caused the detector to go off? I have had issues with the propane detector going off in the past when the wife put on perfume but I have never had the issue with the carbon monoxide detector.

Burch

[InspectorMark]

Before you blame the detecter I recommend you verify that do don't have a real CO problem

Do you have a standing pilot on a water heater, furnace, oven, refrigerator, portable gas heater, or gas fireplace?

If any of these item has a faulty pilot assembly they can produce high levels of CO.

[MetalGator]

Mine is also a combo unit as it has a propane alarm as well. The propane light was green and the carbon monoxide was read. Once I got the alarm cleared, it never went off again. I am hoping is was just the fumes from the campfire as the wind had changed direction and the inside of the motorhome was starting to smell like smoke for awhile.

Burch

[Jbrowland]

enblethen wrote:
The glue is formaldahyde(sp)

Ah yes. Now I recall. I have it in my coffee every morning. That's why I don't look a day over 246. 🙂

[enblethen]

The glue is formaldahyde(sp)

[Jbrowland]

Can’t recall where, maybe a sticker on an RV or a manual, but I recall reading that the glue and materials used in a new RV can setthese alarms off.

[Cummins12V98]

Laid a bottle of tequila on it's side it leaked out and puddled right under the detector. It went off and would not quit even after cleaning it up. Kept re setting and even covering it. It was a tragic and annoying loss!

[riven1950]

Our TT is a 2017. Purchased 12/16. Our combo unit was replaced under warranty because it randomly went off at night, usually 3am.

In florida now and the new one has done the same in the last two weeks. Pulled the fuse, cut off gas for a few hours. then reinstalled fuse and turned gas on , no alarm for 2 days, then it did it again. Getting ready to reinstall fuse again and turn gas back on . We'll see. Same thing the replaced unit was doing.

Been working fine for 6 weeks straight. Seems once it does it once it just keeps going downhill.

good luck

Update: just hoked mine back up, gas been off for 2 days. It immediately alamed! pulled fuse again and blew into the sensor hole and reconnected. No alarm so far. These things are just weird. Mine is a combo unit. Think I may replace with a seperate co and propane alarm when I get home, although this is under warranty. Date on back is 12/15 so not out of date.

These things are just weird!

[naturist]

Carbon monoxide detectors are problematic. On the one hand, safer for you if it issues false alarms than remains silent too long. But they can be annoying.

Most of them are combo CO/propane detectors, which can be set off not only by propane leaks but also by dog farts, sewer gas, hairspray fumes, etc. Most of those are not especially dangerous (except for the farts).

To be sure, when one does go off, you do need to check for the source of the alarm, rather than just going back to sleep.

[FLY_4_FUN]

Always good to be cautious, perhaps when you are certain there's plenty of fresh air in the rig try testing the detector as indicated on the label. I know RV's off-gas lots when new, but im not sure that would do it. Did you have any CO symptom's? Perhaps get a second battery powered detector and bring it along to verify all is well....then use it somewhere in your house later. Certainly wanna make sure you aren't getting gassed. Its rare, but fatal in rv's.

[enblethen]

I would start by using a spray can of air. Blowing it out may remove any dust or chemical that could set it off.

[MetalGator]

No generators allowed here. I am staying at a full hookup, 50amp RV resort. I have had issues with hairspray and perfume with the propane detector in the past but I have never had the carbon monoxide detector go off before. I am hoping it was just from some smoke from the campfire getting into the motorhome.

[Ivylog]

Low battery voltage will set them off but it usually keeps doing it until you charge the batteries.

[harley4275]

Did anyone use hairspray or spray some off on themselves?

[memtb]

.Metal Gator, I’m glad it wasn’t a heater issue in a new unit.I didn’t think that would be the issue... but was trying to elimate possible sources. 🙂